James "Jimmy" Castaldini, a resident of Charlestown and Winchester but always a Townie at heart who turned 100 years of age on May 31, entered into eternal life peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Care One Nursing Center in Wilmington.
Jimmy was born in Boston on May 31, 1919, a son of the late Angelo Castaldini and Rose (Alfonsi) Castaldini. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated at St. Anthony's Parochial School in the North End of Boston and graduated from Commerce High School in Boston in 1939. Jimmy enlisted into the United States Army on January 8, 1941 and served his country faithfully and with courage during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945 with the rank of TEC 5. Jimmy worked as a Shipper at the Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown for many years before its untimely closing in 1974. In 1976 while being happily retired, Jimmy took on his next employment with the Carr Funeral Home in Charlestown and worked several positions with dedication within the funeral home for the next 33 years of his life. Jimmy took an active role in the inception of the Milt Schmitt Hockey Program in Charlestown back in the 1960's and 1970's and will always be known by the young hockey players back then of running the stop clock on the Saturday morning in house games at the Charlestown skating rink. Jimmy was a proud member of the Old Charlestown Schoolboys Association and for the past couple of years was honored as the oldest member of the association at their annual dinner. He was a member of the Pope John XXIII High School Fathers Club from 1977 to 1981. In his spare time, Jimmy made several friends on the "bench" on Westley Street in Winchester.
Jimmy is the beloved husband of 63 years to the late Gloria (Cassettari) Castaldini. He is the devoted father of Lisa Truesdale and her husband Fred, Peter Castaldini, James "Jay" Castaldini and his wife Rita and Gina Beliveau and her husband Mike. He is the proud Grandpa and Papa to Stacey, Michael, Eric and his wife Mary, Kristen, P.J., Kerri and her husband Aaron, Marita, Joanna, Michael, Richard, Christian James and his great-grandchildren Alexis, Kayce, Jillian, Vincent, Domenic, Angelo, D.J., Matthew and Landon. He is the beloved brother of the late Catherine Castaldini, Frances Castaldini, Theresa Castaldini, Edith Troiano, Leonard Castaldini, Elena Carroll, Josephine Kilduff, Mary Langone and Daniel Castaldini. He is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jimmy's Funeral on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 9 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown at 10 A.M. His burial at the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Bourne will be private. His visiting hours will be on Monday, July 22, 2019 from 4 to 7 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Jimmy's name to The Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, 15 Green St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129